Chapter 57

Chapter 57
Chapter 57
Claudia’s POV
I really can’t go to Richard. What if things go south? I also can’t ignore his message because if he reveals his face, it will be a problem for me. Why now? Things are already getting better between me and Asher. I can’t let him ruin everything for me. I never had an affair with him… If I had known this was going to happen, I would never have called him that night. I wish all these could just go away and life would return to normal. I looked at the text one more time and kept my phone.
I rested on the bed looking at the ceiling in the room. I was trying to come up with a perfect plan that could solve it all for me. I didn’t even know the moment Sonia came in. I got aware of her presence when she tapped me.
“Are you okay? Being telling you I’m back with your food, but you keep looking up there.” She pointed at the ceiling.
“I’m sorry, I will eat now.” I sat properly as she gave me the food to eat.
“Hum, smells good.” I forced a smile out, but deep down I had lost my appetite already. I just took a few spoons and kept it aside.
“You don’t like the food?” She asked me, and I nodded,”I do love it,why?”
“You just took like four spoons, and you are done, that’s new.” She kept looking at me as if she was expecting me to reveal everything in my head. Should I open up to my friend or not? What if she ends up in danger?
“I will eat later, right now, I am no longer feeling hungry.” At least I am sincere now.
“A few moments earlier, you told me you were hungry, and now I am back. You changed your mind. I think something is troubling you, and it’s time you opened up to me, so tell me my best friend, what is going on?” I know Sonia so well, she won’t stop until she gets her answers.
What if I just told her everything? Maybe she will be able to tell me a way out of everything going on. At least telling her my problem can take some weight off my shoulder even if it’s not everything.
“You know I won’t stop until you tell me what is eating you up, is it Asher? Did he change again, and you are too ashamed to tell me about it? Come on, I will not tell you. I told you so, you are my friend and I…”
“It’s not Asher but Richard.” I interrupted her without letting her finish, because she got everything all wrong. Asher is trying to make sure things work for us, but Richard is not ready to let us be.
“When you say Richard, do you mean your husband's best friend?” She inquired, and I nodded in approval.
“Okay, but how? The last I checked, you told me nothing happened between you two, and the picture taken of you two was unexpected.”
“Yes, and you know it’s him because I told you already about how I called him to pick me, and you were also right when you said he got eyes for me.”
“Yes he does. I am surprised it took you long enough to notice it.” She replied laughing about it. I guess if she finally knows what is going on, she will quit laughing right away.
“Well, I won’t call it love anymore. My husband's best friend is so obsessed with having me, that’s a huge problem, and you know it.”
“Hold on a second, do you mean he finally opened up about his feelings for you? Is that what this is about? Well I know you, the only man you love with everything is Asher, so you can just decline.”
“I wish I could.”
“I am lost here, can you make me understand what is going on?” I took a deep breath and explained everything to Sonia without leaving any piece of information. She listened attentively, and when I finished,she became an angry bird swearing at Richard.
“That bastard, I am going to kill him… You are the wife of his best friend,why will he do something like this,damn him!” She would raise her voice, and then ask me some questions again, repeating herself then after some minutes, she said to me, “What if I go, and see him on your behalf? If he still has some good in him, then I will be able to talk him out of whatever he is thinking.”
“Will you do that for me?”
“Yes, why won’t I? You are my only best friend, and I am willing to do anything to protect you.”
“Thank you so much.” We hugged each other.
“So, how do I meet up with him?” She asked me, and I thought of sending him a message that I was ready to meet with him ASAP, but his house was out of it. Sonia stood by me while I composed the text, and forwarded it to him as we awaited a response.
It was not up to ten minutes, he replied with an address and I looked at Sonia, “Please be safe, okay?”
“Don’t worry, he won’t be able to kill me,” she boasted.
“I know, but I hate myself for putting you through this.”
“It’s okay, I told you I got you, and also you need to stop worrying because of the baby inside of you. You have to relax your mind and let me handle this.” She tried to calm me, but deep down I was worried.

Asher came in with fruits he got for me, but my mind was with Sonia. I was worried as hell. What could be happening to her? Is he going to harm her? I needed answers, and why is she not calling or texting me?
“I got you fruits, will you eat them now?” He asked, unaware of what was going on with me.
“No, I will take them later.” I replied briefly, looking at my phone expecting a call or a text from Sonia.
“Are you okay?” He asked, trying to search my soul through my eyes and I really couldn’t tell him until it was the right time.
“Yes, I am okay.” I lied to him.
“Are you expecting a call from someone?”
“Me? Oh no.” I tried to blend into the conversation with him, but I knew I was being awkward right now.
“You keep looking at your phone, you know if there is something you wish to share with me, you know I will always give you a listening ear.” He spoke calmly, and I smiled at him, saying, “I am alright, don’t worry too much.”
“Okay if you say so.” He stopped pressuring me. Deep down I wanted to call Sonia, but that’s a bad idea.
I was already fast asleep when my phone ringtone woke me up. I was still struggling with my sleep as I slowly answered the call, and placed the phone close to my ear without checking to confirm who the caller was.
“Hello love, it seems you underestimate me.” His voice, Richard! Immediately, sleep disappeared.
“Richard…”
“I told you to come see me, and you ended up sending your friend. I love you. That’s why I gave you so many chances, but right now you blew up the last chance I gave you. I guess you are enjoying a good time with Asher. Do enjoy it while it lasts, and know this, you will be mine soon.” He ended the call, and I tried to call back. The call was not connecting at all, it went straight to voicemail.
Tears gathered in my eyes ready to drop. If things fail just when Sonia arrives there, then I am doomed. I shouldn’t have allowed Sonia to go there for me. I made a huge mistake for real. What should I do? I turned off my phone in the process and lost my thoughts. I need to get out of the mess created for me. I need to think fast, otherwise, I will end up regretting the whole thing. Damn you Richard!! I cussed him under my breath.
The next day, the doctor instructed Asher to take me for a gentle stroll around the hospital, insisting the fresh air and movement would help me. Asher, ever attentive, fussed over me like a doting father might pamper his cherished daughter, his arm steadying me with every step.
“I’m not a kid, Asher,” I protested, attempting to stride forward on my own, though my legs wobbled slightly. “I don’t need assistance to walk.”
“Nah, not in your state, wifey,” he replied with a playful grin, his warm hand firmly around mine. “I need to guide you,love.”
I rolled my eyes, a smile tugging at my lips. “You’re overdoing it. You are acting like this is my first time learning to walk.”
“Is that so?” he teased, his eyes twinkling with mischief. “Why don’t we pretend it is, wifey?” Before I could retort, he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my cheek. My cheek turned red, and I giggled.“Stop it, Asher! We’re in a hospital. What if someone sees us?”
“And so?” he chuckled, unfazed, his voice brimming with affection. “You’re my wife, not my girlfriend, let them stare.” He winked.
“Wait here. I will grab you some water. Remember what the doctor said: You need to stay hydrated.”
“Yes, sir,” I replied with a mock salute, leaning against the wall. As he walked away,I couldn't stop admiring him. I still can't believe this is us, a contented smile spread across my face, warmth blooming in my chest despite the sterile hospital air.
Just then, someone bumped into me, a gentle brush that hardly moved me but rattled something deep inside. I looked up, and the stranger’s face, sharp jaw, dark eyes, struck like a match, igniting a fuzzy, frightening memory I couldn’t place. Sweat coated my skin, my heart pounded hard. Fear swallowed me completely.
“I’m sorry, ma’am,” the stranger said softly, his voice calm, hands raised to show he meant no harm. But panic had already gripped me. My hands shook as I hit his arm off, screaming, “He’s going to hurt me! Help! Help!” My cries echoed through the hospital halls, my vision blurring. Asher’s bottle of water hit the floor, his footsteps rushing closer, but that stranger’s face burned in my mind, tied to a danger I didn’t understand. My legs wobbled, and as I
sank down, shaking and gasping, the world turned black.